Apps are too expensive for our events

I hear often that Apps are too expensive for our events. I know at first glance the cost of native app development may seem high but when you compare the cost of deploying an app with more traditional methods of content delivery they are really on par. A lot of final programs that are designed and printed cost clients in the vicinity of $5-10K for design and print alone (volume and event dependent of course). Native app costs sit squarely in the middle of this.